MONROE - As a child, Lane Berndt would follow his father and a family friend, Ernie Wyssbrod Jr., to dirt track races at the Freeport Raceway Park.
"I've been going to dirt track races in Freeport since I was a little kid," Berndt said. "It's just something I fell in love with. I have always like dirt tracks better than asphalt tracks. It's just more exciting."
Berndt, a 2013 Monroe High School graduate, worked three years in his friend, Trent Wyssbrod's pit crew during sports modified races at the Lafayette County Speedway. And now in his third year as a race car driver, Berndt is making an impact as an up-and-comer in the sports mods class.
Berndt is making the most of his time as a race car driver: He is eighth in total points (175) in the sports modifieds class at the Lafayette County Speedway. He's just 14 points out of fifth behind his friend, racing buddy and classmate Wyssbrod (191).
Both Berndt and Trent Wyssbrod are expected to race Saturday during the Lafayette County Fair.
"I have been surprised by my success," Berndt said. "I have had a lot more seat time. I have gone to races in Dubuque and Beaver Dam."
Berndt purchased Trent Wyssbrod's 2006 Dirt Works chassis and was excited to prepare a new car for the summer racing season. Berndt, along with his father and brother, put a new body on the car, a new motor and a driving tran.
"Trent had a lot of success with this car," Berndt said. "I wanted to get a car that was more competitive. It's probably the most fun I have had since I started racing."
Berndt credits his success this summer to having more seat time racing and his new car.
"It's been a learning year," Berndt said. "Trent has definitely helped me a lot. I have been taking his advice because he knows the car. I have been having success and it has been working for me."
Berndt said the car handles a lot better and is more efficient in races.
"It corners better," he said. "I can feel the power to the ground."
Jason Udelhofen, Lafayette County Speedway director, said the race track averages about 70 to 80 cars every Friday on race nights. Bob Silaggi of Freeport, is the points leader in the sports mods class with 241 points. He leads Zach Mauer who is in second by just four points. Eighth place compared to third place in the sports mods class is separated by just 27 points.
Udelhofen said the speedway averages 22 to 24 cars in the sports mods class every Friday for races.
"We have had different winners every night," Udelhofen said. "This has been a great year. It doesn't seem like anyone has a super advantage. It's very competitive and close racing."
Udelhofen said the allure for many race car drivers to the sports mods division is it's more economical than racing in other classes.
"It's more serious than four-cylinders and trucks," he said. "It's more of a beginning class."
"I've been going to dirt track races in Freeport since I was a little kid," Berndt said. "It's just something I fell in love with. I have always like dirt tracks better than asphalt tracks. It's just more exciting."
Berndt, a 2013 Monroe High School graduate, worked three years in his friend, Trent Wyssbrod's pit crew during sports modified races at the Lafayette County Speedway. And now in his third year as a race car driver, Berndt is making an impact as an up-and-comer in the sports mods class.
Berndt is making the most of his time as a race car driver: He is eighth in total points (175) in the sports modifieds class at the Lafayette County Speedway. He's just 14 points out of fifth behind his friend, racing buddy and classmate Wyssbrod (191).
Both Berndt and Trent Wyssbrod are expected to race Saturday during the Lafayette County Fair.
"I have been surprised by my success," Berndt said. "I have had a lot more seat time. I have gone to races in Dubuque and Beaver Dam."
Berndt purchased Trent Wyssbrod's 2006 Dirt Works chassis and was excited to prepare a new car for the summer racing season. Berndt, along with his father and brother, put a new body on the car, a new motor and a driving tran.
"Trent had a lot of success with this car," Berndt said. "I wanted to get a car that was more competitive. It's probably the most fun I have had since I started racing."
Berndt credits his success this summer to having more seat time racing and his new car.
"It's been a learning year," Berndt said. "Trent has definitely helped me a lot. I have been taking his advice because he knows the car. I have been having success and it has been working for me."
Berndt said the car handles a lot better and is more efficient in races.
"It corners better," he said. "I can feel the power to the ground."
Jason Udelhofen, Lafayette County Speedway director, said the race track averages about 70 to 80 cars every Friday on race nights. Bob Silaggi of Freeport, is the points leader in the sports mods class with 241 points. He leads Zach Mauer who is in second by just four points. Eighth place compared to third place in the sports mods class is separated by just 27 points.
Udelhofen said the speedway averages 22 to 24 cars in the sports mods class every Friday for races.
"We have had different winners every night," Udelhofen said. "This has been a great year. It doesn't seem like anyone has a super advantage. It's very competitive and close racing."
Udelhofen said the allure for many race car drivers to the sports mods division is it's more economical than racing in other classes.
"It's more serious than four-cylinders and trucks," he said. "It's more of a beginning class."
